According to a press release dated June 2014, in August the Reserve Bank of Malawi will introduce a family of notes similar to the existing issues (RBM B50-B55), but with enhanced blind recognition features. Furthermore, the color of the 50-kwacha note will be changed from light blue to light green to differentiate it from the 200-kwacha notes. Curiously, the 200-kwacha note is not listed as a denomination expected to have the new Braille features.

According to a press release, on 6 July 2014 the Reserve Bank of Malawi introduced a limited edition 1,000-kwacha note to commemorate the country's 50 years of independence. This note will circulate in parallel with the existing note of this denomination (RBM B55). The special commemorative banknote has the words “50 Years of Independence” printed at lower right front, four raised dots at lower left front, as well as slightly revised denomination engravings.

Anyone interested in buying one of these notes can contact the contributor by clicking the link below.

According to an article on Face of Malawi dated 1 July 2014, the Reserve Bank of Malawi plans to issue a new family of banknotes in August 2014. The new notes will have enhanced blind recognition features, and the color of the 50-kwacha note will change from light blue to light green to better distinguish it from the blue 200-kwacha note. Furthermore, a 1,000-kwacha note will be issued on 6 July 2014 to commemorate Malawi's 50th anniversary of independence. The limited edition commemorative note will circulate in parallel with the existing note of the same denomination (RBM B55).

According to an article on Amalawi dated 10 July 2012, the Reserve Bank of Malawi will revise its new family of notes (issued on 23 May 2012) so that they are more "blind friendly." According to the Malawi Union of the Blind, the current notes have raised dots to aid in recognition of the denominations, but the dots are too small to be useful. The bank confirmed that it will address the problem, but didn't specify how or when.

According to an article on Malawi Today dated 27 May 2012, the new 20-kwacha (US$0.08) note issued on 23 May contains an error. On the back of the note is a building identified as the Domasi Teachers Training College (now known as the Domasi College of Education). However it's reported that the building is in fact the Machinga Teachers Training College. Reserve Bank of Malawi spokesperson Ralph Tseka played down the issue, saying the error would not affect the legal tender as the rest of the security features are intact. "We are going to verify and if we find the error we will make a correction in the next issue," said Tseka.

I have been unable to find any images of either college online to confirm that this is in fact an error. Any assistance in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

According to an article in the Nyasa Times dated 17 May 2012, the Reserve Bank of Malawi issued new banknotes on 23 May 2012. The bank is replacing the old denominations 10-500 kwacha, and adding a new 1,000-kwacha (US$4) note. The new notes, printed by De La Rue, are "much smaller in size" than the current notes which measure from 132 x 66 mm to 162 x 81 mm. Old notes will circulate in parallel until 22 May 2013, at which time they will cease to be legal tender. Three months later, they will be demonetized.

According to an article on Nyasa Times dated 9 March 2012, within the next six months the Reserve Bank of Malawi will introduce a whole new series of notes, including a 1,000-kwacha (US$6) note, twice the largest denomination currently in circulation. The notes were announced in Biantyre on 8 March by Governor Dr. Perks Ligoya. An article in the Sunday Times dated 11 March 2012 indicates that the new notes will be issued in July, and will consist of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 kwacha denominations. It may be that the report is in error, as it hardly seems economically feasible to print notes smaller than 20 kwacha (US$0.12).

The new notes will be much smaller in size than the current notes, which serves as a cost-cutting measure. The new 1,000-kwacha note is to be printed by De La Rue. Nyasa Times reported recently leaked image of the note showing a portrait of current president, Bingu wa Mutharika, but that image is a hoax created from a Federal Republic of Germany DB B31 (P46) 100 deutsche Mark note.

The Malawi chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale at US$9.99, and as a free download to subscribers.

At the time of initial publication, this 15-page catalog covers every note (158 types and varieties, including 27 notes unlisted in the SCWPM) issued by the Reserve Bank of Malaŵi from 1964 until present day.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap

Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender

Specific identification of all vignette elements

Security features described in full

Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note

Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter

Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list

Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM

Date reproduced exactly as on note

Precise date of introduction noted when known

Replacement note information

Signature tables, often with names and terms of service

Background information for historical and cultural context

Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties

Bibliographic sources listed for further research

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According to an article on Nyasa Times dated 2 June 2011, in late May the Reserve Bank of Malawi issued a large quantity of 50-kwacha (US$0.35) notes dated 30th JUNE 2011. These are like the preceding issues (P53) dated 31st OCTOBER 2009, but with the new date which oddly falls after the date of introduction into circulation.